It's going to be a bit rushed in this chapter. Again, if there are any confusions, just inform me. I'd be glad to explain to you and amend wherever necessary.
Chapter 12: Truth Hurts
The Saturday morning to Blacklite Wings' first concert was ruined thanks to the revelation of the head of the Hyuuga family. Mikan was trying hard to understand the fact she now knows her real father is alive and that her current father, Kaito Hyuuga intends to use her to get to her real father's powers.
"Our father believes Izumi Sakura is using his powers to control his company and the luck and future of it," Youichi added. "I think he really just wanted to lure him by having Mikan, I don't think he at all suspects Mikan has much power. But mother has mentioned Izumi's name a few times when he asks if there are any powerful witches who uses their power for their business."
"Is that really how my father is?" Mikan spoke up. "A man who abuses his powers to get what he wants? A man who uses an external form of power to get to the top? Because if that's him, I don't want to meet him."
Koko looked at Mikan and he shook his head and smiled. "Your father's a lot like you," Koko said with a gentle expression. "You know, when you're not a psycho crazy bitch about to get revenge on girls that pisses you off."
"So you've met him? You've really met Izumi Sakura?" Youichi asked and Koko nodded.
"For a brief moment, yeah," Koko said. "I had business with my brothers in Italy and coincidentally he was at the auction as well."
"An auction? A black market auction?!" Natsume asked in surprise.
"Well, yes, but his reason was to pull his right hand secretary away from it," Koko said. "He didn't participate and kept his word when he said he'd leave when he got over with his business there."
"What was he like?" Ruka asked curiously.
"A tall man, really humble. As a human, you wouldn't even be able to sense the tremendous amount of power he wields. He covers the aura with a smoke spell that won't affect the normal beings," Koko said.
"Normal beings?" Mikan asked and her eyes widened. "Koko…you can't possibly have…"
"Yeah," Koko smiled. "Had it since I was born… was actually awaken by you."
"Another power user?" Hotaru smirked. "It looks like Kaoru-san has been collecting the power users of our generation to be used against her husband."
"But you've never shown any signs of power…" Mikan trailed off. "And the iris-."
"Right here," Koko pulled up his left sleeve to show a dark violet iris tattoo. "Why keep something that you can lose? Yours and Jii-chan's are real iris jewels that contains your powers to its limits. Mine is a spell I got Jii-chan to cast on me. The moment I break my vow of my limits of my powers, the tattoo disappears…and so would the gift."
"You're risking your life here," Youichi said. "Losing your powers means losing your life!"
"Which is why it's my constant wake up call to avoid using it at all cost," Koko said. "The only time I've ever used my powers was my attempts at mind reading yesterday and today with you."
"How many of us…are there?" Mikan quietly asked, still in shock that Koko is the same kind as her.
"There are a lot," Youichi answered. "But most grew up without knowing the existence of their powers. Only those who practices the art would pass down the gift to the child. The sixth sense in some people is considered power using, as well as those who can read a person's emotions. To them, it's 'logic'. But to us, we know it's an external power. They just can't tell the difference."
"Then Jii-san…" Mikan looked at Koko and nodded. "Yeah… I figured he was since you said he was the one that cast the spell on you."
"Natsume's mother is one of the highly respected power users in the country, but since she mastered the art when she was young, her emotions are easily influenced by others," Koko started talking. "My grandfather was one of the older power users that taught her and many others but after he knew a light witch like her was able to use the dark arts, he decided to stop teaching. He's only around merely to enhance the powers of those he sees fit."
"A light witch is a power user that only uses powers to good use. A light witch can be a dark witch but a dark witch can never be a light witch," Youichi added. "Mother ended up using her powers towards the dark arts, which is why she has both Persona and I. Both of which were born under different circumstances."
"Either way, what does your father have in mind when he finds Izumi Sakura?" Koko asked.
Youichi stared at him for a moment and looked back at Mikan. "Just as he used mother…he's going to use him the same way… and to make sure he listens and obeys him, he keeps Mikan."
Koko stood up and wavered slightly after forgetting his sense of balance. He ran his hand through his hair and his eyes locked with Youichi's. "Then I'm taking her out of here."
"You can't," Youichi said. "Your place isn't safe. There are many yakuzas in your region who has the same powers as us…and most of them would listen to our father's command, especially when there's a reward at hand."
"Then she'll stay with me," Hotaru offered and gained everyone's attention. "We all know why the Hyuugas worked with the Imai and that's because of our excellent security. We've got the latest technology of the world and thanks to your mother's help, we've also invented a substance that can repel powers. You can trust me that she'll be safe under my watch."
"With Mikan out of Kaito's reach, he can't blackmail Izumi," Koko agreed.
"No, Izumi Sakura won't be able to know the truth. Kaito Hyuuga might still go on to play the card claiming he still has Mikan even if he knows she's being kept hidden somewhere. If Izumi cares for Mikan, he wouldn't risk it," Ruka said after much thought.
"Ruka's right," Hotaru agreed and Natsume raised an eyebrow at her and she shrugged it off. "After the concert today, we have to get in touch with Izumi Sakura and warn him about Kaito's plans before he makes a move."
The boys looked at each other and agreed. "So now…we go to the arena?" Natsume asked and Ruka nodded.
"Yeah, we should. Just to clear off any suspicion. We might as well go on with today," Ruka added. "Tonight, we'll gather at Hotaru's and we'll discuss our next step. We have to find the best way to get to Izumi Sakura."
"The best way is to be invisible," Youichi said.
"That's my specialty," Koko grinned.
…
"We're just dropping off your things at my place first," Hotaru said as she drove her car with Mikan next to her.
"So the boys are going to the arena first?" Mikan asked.
"Yeah….well, more or less. They're helping the Hyuugas cover you up. Like you're sleeping over at my place and make the disappearance something gradual and not abrupt so Kaito won't know what we know," Hotaru added.
"Oh," Mikan stayed quiet and looked out at the window as they drove out of the Hyuuga's estate.
"Troubling life you have, eh?" Hotaru asked while keeping her eyes on the road.
"You have no idea," Mikan said. "My life is probably the hardest to live in. Being lied to, having news thrown to your face every few seconds and you just can't grasp the fact that some things that you thought were impossible…just happened."
"Welcome to the life of the rich," Hotaru muttered under her breath.
"The rich?" Mikan asked.
"You think you have it bad?" Hotaru side eyed Mikan for a second. "You have no idea what I go through in my life. What Natsume Hyuuga and his brothers have to go through everyday either. And I'm pretty sure that yakuza boy from the Yume clan has it tough too."
"Don't act like you're some special brat that God favors and gives you things to complain about. Life doesn't work that way," Hotaru gripped the steering wheel properly. "You have it better than all of us. You listen to no one but yourself when you grew up. We had to grow up by listening to others. Having people do things for us when we know we could do things ourselves. Our childhood is useless. Something not even worth remembering."
Mikan blinked when she heard Hotaru said all that. "And that's just us rich kids," Hotaru glanced at Mikan again. "You should check what your yakuza friend has to go through all his life. Fighting, seeing other people die, and seeing your family member die right in front of you. Growing up knowing there will be people who would die by your hands, have a family suffer because of your doing. That's the reality we had to grow up with. The rich kids included."
"You had a life where you could choose your path," Hotaru continued. "We had nothing. We've never heard of the word 'choice'. We've seen our parents cast their judgements on their work that would result in the fall of another company or a family. We had to grow up to see others suffer while we live a life of a bar-less prison."
"We even had to see a friend we made turn into a slave," Hotaru said solemnly. "See the one person you trust the most… disappear from your side to serve a ridiculous man. A man who would do anything for money and power. See that friend of yours die day by day until one point…he's no longer a friend…not even an acquaintance…but merely a 'someone'."
Mikan noticed the car slowing down as Hotaru drove towards the slower lane to get rid of her distractions. "Is this…Persona?" Mikan asked and Hotaru flinched at the sound of his name.
"Persona…eh?" Hotaru smiled. "Did you know that's not his real name?"
Mikan looked surprised and shook her head. "I didn't…"
"Rei," Hotaru said quietly. "His name is Rei Hyuuga. The name his mother chose for him. He took the name Persona to not let the business industry know he is the son of Kaito Hyuuga. Call it a mask that he wears so that he wouldn't be treated differently in that part of the world. No one calls him Persona Hyuuga… that's a funny name though." Hotaru finally smiled.
"He was…your friend?" Mikan asked.
"My only friend," Hotaru said. "When our parents had a weekly meeting at the Imai's office, he would be around. I befriended him because of how he acted towards people. Indifferent to status and gender. He taught me the basics of our economy when I was a kid and we ended up being really close to a point at night, he'd sleep on a branch on the tall tree next to my bedroom window just to hear me talk and rant about my life. A part of his life that he already went through. The phase where everyone is out to get you."
"He was like another brother," Hotaru finally started to drive normally. "When he was acting like a human, he's fun. We'd play pranks on the ambassadors that comes over for a visit, or during functions. My real brother is way too serious to play tricks on people but Aniki isn't."
"Aniki?" Mikan asked.
"Oh," Hotaru blinked, surprised she used the word. "T-That's just the name I use to call Persona when I was a kid."
"You guys sound like Ruka Nii and me," Mikan smiled.
"So you see how we strive to lead a childhood like you had, to be able to freely say 'I played a prank on the ambassador of China' and things like that?" Hotaru asked. "If we ever admitted that, we'd be put under house arrest and home tuition for months to avoid the press from getting to us to ask our reason for doing such a thing."
"What REASON would a ten year old have to play pranks on people? It's the way of life, stupid adults," Hotaru muttered again, getting angry at her past.
"I think Persona Nii made your childhood memorable though," Mikan said.
"Eh?"
"I mean think about it… you do have a childhood memory worth reminiscing about thanks to him," Mikan smiled. "Without him…I agree, you'd probably live a boring life locked up in a huge mansion with people entertaining to all your needs."
"You're mocking me aren't you?" Hotaru snickered and Mikan giggled.
"Not really," Mikan smiled.
"You're not a bad kid, Sakura," Hotaru said and the name surprised Mikan for a second.
"Do you think…Izu- my real father would take me back?" Mikan asked and Hotaru shrugged her shoulders.
"That's up to you. You have to be willing to be accepted before wondering if one would want to have you," Hotaru said. "It's the same as business, feelings aside."
A phone call suddenly rang and Hotaru pressed a button on her steering wheel and Mikan saw the purple earring Hotaru wore started blinking pink and it grew big and turned into a single wireless earphone. "It's Imai." She answered.
"You have Mikan?" A deep voice asked and Hotaru flinched hearing it.
"Y-Yeah," Hotaru answered.
"It's an emergency and she should know before I tell Youichi," Persona continued. "Izumi Sakura just landed at Narita airport, he's heading to a function held by the Presidents."
"What?" Hotaru shouted and started pressing a button on the steering wheel to increase the volume.
"And that's not the problem, our father is planning to greet him right now," Persona added. "There's no time, you tell Mikan and let her decide, we'll see what to do once we see how her decision affects the Hyuuga's future. If something's going to happen, I'll call back. I need to call Youichi now."
Persona dropped the call and Hotaru's earphone returned to its earring form. She was breathing heavily and Mikan didn't feel comfortable. "Why? What's wrong?" Mikan asked, worried.
"Your father is in Japan right now," Hotaru said.
"Wh-."
"And your current father is heading out to meet him as we speak," Hotaru interrupted and made a dangerous curl on the highway to stop the car by the shoulder of the road. "Aniki said it's your call. If you don't plan on doing anything, Aniki and Youichi is just going to increase the guards around your father."
Mikan started to feel the panic Hotaru felt earlier and she stared at Hotaru. "I'm going." Mikan said.
"To your father?" Hotaru asked.
"I want to be there…in case Kaito Hyuuga brings up my name, I don't want him to make my father suffer just as he did to Kaoru-sensei. I have to stop him!" Mikan clenched her fist. "We have to go to the airport!"
"No, your father should already be on his way to the President meeting in Tokyo," Hotaru pushed down the handbrake and stepped on the gas pedal. "Don't regret whatever you do in life." Those were Hotaru's last words before she drove her car to the maximum speed on the highway.
…
Koko puts on his gloves and stared at Youichi, Natsume and Ruka whom were wearing their jackets. "What do you think Mikan would do?" Natsume asked and Koko stared at him.
"I don't know," Koko said. "She's never been a straightforward person, I can't guess her next move."
"With her father here, she probably would want to see him…" Ruka thought.
"No…" Youichi trailed off and his eyes widened. Natsume saw Youichi standing still with his eyes open.
"A vision," Natsume said and stood in front of Youichi. "Mikan's probably made her decision." Natsume said.
"No…" Youichi muttered again.
"What? What is it?" Ruka asked, agitated.
Youichi started sweating profusely and Natsume started to get worried. He grabbed Youichi's shoulders and shook him. "Hey! Hey Youichi! HEY!" Natsume kept shaking Youichi's body roughly to get him back to his senses.
"NO DON'T!" Youichi shouted out loud and his hand reached out to an empty space. He finally blinked and started to breathe heavily. He looked around and saw Natsume and the others and he looked absolutely distraught.
"What is it?!" Natsume asked, still holding onto Youichi's shoulders.
"We have to stop her!" Youichi grabbed Natsume's shoulders back. "We have to stop her!"
"Why?" Koko asked as the panic and fear for Mikan's wellbeing kicked in.
"Her decision…" Youichi tried to catch his breath and put words into his mouth. "Our father saw her…"
"What?!" Natsume shouted back.
"She's in danger!" Youichi shouted back. "Persona saw more than I did! You woke me before I saw what happened." Youichi rushed to call his brother and Koko adjusted his jacket.
"Where are you going?" Ruka turned around and saw Koko walking towards the gates.
"To where Mikan is," Koko said.
"You're not well!" Natsume shouted back.
"IT DOESN'T MATTER!" Koko shouted back and the Hyuugas saw a large motorcycle outside the gates and Koko got on it. His guards appeared and gave him the safety gear before Koko revved up the engine and left the estate with no other words.
"PERSONA!" Youichi shouted. Attention was brought back to him as Ruka made his way closer to his brothers. "YOU'LL HAVE TO STAY WITH OUR FATHER AND MAKE SURE HE'S CLEAR!"
There was a long pause and Youichi lifted his head and his eyes met with Natsume's. "Why…what's wrong?" The phone fell from Youichi's grip and Natsume saw Youichi turning pale. "He-Hey! Youichi! What's wrong!?"
"Mi-Mikan…is going to get shot…"
YES! I finally ended this chapter after all the assignments this week ended. Okay, to new readers, thank you for reading. For the old readers…this is new to you since I never mentioned Koko being a power user in the pre-written Blacklite Wings. Thank you so much to all who is following my Blacklite Wings. I'm only halfway done.
Here's a brief summary of the witches.
Known light witches: Youichi Hyuuga (iris ring), Mikan Sakura (iris earring given by Kaoru), Kaoru Igarashi (died as a dark witch after powers depleted)
Known dark witches: Persona (Rei Hyuuga) (iris jewel unknown)
Unknown status of witches: Kokoro Yume (iris cursed tattoo), Izumi Sakura, Jii-san (iris pin badge)
